Wales have been forced to turn their attention to the future after failing to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup. The men's national side suffered a play-off defeat against Bosnia-Herzegovina, ending their hopes of consecutive tournament appearances. Craig Bellamy's squad had reached the play-off stage after finishing second in their qualifying group behind France, according to Sky Sports.
The defeat marks the end of a qualification campaign that saw Wales win four of their eight group matches. Midfielder Aaron Ramsey and defender Ben Davies featured in the match, but the hosts could not find a breakthrough against a disciplined Bosnian defence. The result means Wales will not travel to the tournament hosted in North America this summer, per The Guardian.
Football Association of Wales officials are expected to review the campaign as the team prepares for the upcoming Nations League cycle. Several senior players face questions regarding their international futures following the disappointment in Cardiff. The management must now integrate younger talent from the under-21 squad to refresh the senior ranks.
